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Special sections
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New Armed
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Titles
ROYAL FAMILY
the Queen not usually necessary to write Her Majesty or HM
the Queen, though occasionally Her Majesty can be used
the Duke of Edinburgh, thereafter the Duke or (sparingly)
Prince Philip
the Prince of Wales, thereafter the Prince or (sparingly)
Prince Charles. In England and Wales, refer to the Prince of Wales and
the Duchess of Cornwall (the Prince and the Duchess at subsequent
mention). In Scotland, the usage the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay is
permissible. The Duchess is technically the Princess of Wales, but does not
use the title; nor do we.
Prince William at first mention, thereafter simply William (or
for variation the Prince, if not ambiguous); similarly, Prince Harry
at first mention, thereafter simply Harry (or for variation the
Prince, if not ambiguous)
the Duke of York, thereafter Prince Andrew or the Duke
the Earl of Wessex, thereafter the Earl or Prince Edward;
similarly, the Countess of Wessex, the Countess, or the former Sophie
Rhys-Jones
the Princess Royal, thereafter the Princess; “Princess Anne”
is no longer acceptable except in historical context
Commodore Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal's husband. No
longer Captain
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (no commas);at first mention
now write the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, thereafter the
Queen Mother
Diana, Princess of Wales, at first mention, thereafter the
Princess (cap). The late Princess wherever appropriate. Never refer to
Princess Diana or (even worse) Princess Di or Lady Di
Note also that the Duchess of York is no longer a member of
the Royal Family since her divorce. After her first mention as Duchess of
York, refer to the duchess(l/c) subsequently — never “Fergie” or any such
vulgarity. Neither should she be called Sarah, Duchess of York
Royal Dukes keep the cap at subsequent mentions (eg, the Duke of Kent, later
the Duke); other dukes do not retain the cap (see below)
PEERAGE AND KNIGHTS
Titles of nobility in descending order are as follows: duke, marquess
(not marquis, except in foreign contexts and occasional Scottish titles), earl,
viscount and baron. At first mention, give the
formal title (as in Who's Who) eg, the Marquess of Paddington, the
Earl of Waterloo, but then Lord Paddington, Lord Waterloo etc. This does not
apply to barons, who are always Lord
except in the announcement of new baronies. Dukes are
always dukes and do not become Lord (eg, the Duke of Rutland). Note style of the
2nd Earl, the 3rd Viscount etc.
Baronesses in their own right or life peeresses are Baroness
at first mention, and then Lady (eg, Baroness Thatcher, then Lady Thatcher).
The wife of a duke is a duchess(and is always called
Duchess, eg, the Duchess of X); the wife ofa marquess is a marchioness,
of an earl a countess, of a viscount a viscountess.
Use Lady at secondand subsequent mentions. The wife of a baronet,
eg, Sir John Euston, should be called Lady Euston from the
start. Widows or former wives of all these titles who have not remarried use
their Christian name before the title,eg, Margaret Duchess of Argyll (no
commas). A widow may also beknown as the Dowager Duchess of Y, or the
Dowager Lady Z.
Apart from royalty (eg, the Duke of York), all these titles take l/c rather
than cap after the first mention (eg, the Duke of Argyll, thereafter the
duke).
Some titles include a place name, eg, Lord Callaghan of
Cardiff, Baroness Jay of Paddington, while others do not. Again, follow
Who's Who, where those whose place name must be included
appear inbold caps.
Always give the full title at first mention, thereafter the
abbreviated form, eg, Lord Bingham of Cornhill, thereafter Lord Bingham.
Among titles speltdifferently from the place name are the Marquess of
Ailesbury,Marquess of Donegall, Earl of Guilford, Earl of Scarbrough.
Take great care with the use of firstnames with titles,
especially the wives of peers, baronets and knights. The
wife of Lord St Pancras is simply Lady St Pancras. The wife of Sir John
Fenchurch is simply Lady Fenchurch (together, Sir John and Lady Fenchurch).
However, when the name is a common one and there is no other convenient
identification, or where there is some other compelling reason togive the
first name, it is permissible to say Lady (John) Brown (brackets essential;
see last sentence of next paragraph).
Baronets and knights are known as Sir John
Smith, thereafter Sir John. Again, to repeat this essential point, no
wife of a baronet or knight takes her Christian name in her title unless she
is the daughter of a duke, a marquess or an earl. If a baronet has
had more than one wife, the first wife is, eg, Mary Lady Smith (no commas) —
the same form applies to the widow of a baron. If a knight has had more than
one wife, the former wife puts her Christian name in brackets, eg, Lady
(Alice) Brown, to distinguish her from the present wife, Lady Brown.
Also, if there are two baronets or knights with the same name, their wives
(when mentioned apart from their husbands), put his
Christian name in brackets,eg, Lady (Stephen) Brown, Lady (Andrew) Brown.
Dames of an order of chivalry take the same style as knights,
eg, Dame Felicity Brown, thereafter Dame Felicity. A dame who is married may
prefer to use her own style, eg, Dame Margaret Arrowroot, wife of Lord
Arrowroot of Nice; personal preferences should be respected.
CHILDREN OF PEERS
Eldest sons of a duke, marquess or earl use the father's
second title as a courtesy title (eg, the Duke of Bedford's son is the
Marquess of Tavistock). These people are not peers, even in headlines. Younger
sons of dukes and marquesses use their first names and the family
surname (eg, Lord John Worthington; subsequent mention, Lord John, never
Lord Worthington; his wife is Lady John Worthington).
A woman is Lady Olive York etc only if she is the daughter
of a duke, marquess or earl; in subsequent mentions, she is Lady Olive,
never Lady York. Younger sons of earls and all children of viscounts and
barons have the style the Hon, but it is unnecessary to use this except in
Court Page copy; normally, they are simply Mr, Miss, Ms etc (none is a peer).
ANNOUNCEMENT OF TITLES
Baronets, knights and dames take the appropriate title as soon as the honour
is announced. Peers have to submit their choice of title for approval, so
wait until the formal public announcement (usually in The London Gazette).
